News

Obama to Forgive Student Loan Debt for People with Permanent Disabilities

Important Issues, News / DCIL Administrator

On April 12, the Department of Education announced it will forgive an estimated $7.7 billion dollars in student loans for 387,000 people with permanent disabilities. Starting next week, the Department of Education will send letters to Americans who have been identified as eligible for what is called a “total and permanent disability” loan discharge because […]

Obama to Forgive Student Loan Debt for People with Permanent Disabilities Read More »

Tax Credit Proposed for Caregivers of People with Disabilities

Legislation, News / DCIL Administrator

A bill introduced in the beginning of March in the House of Representatives would allow family members who care for people with disabilities or aging family members receive up to $3,000.00 in tax savings annually. The bill is known as the Credit for Care Act. The tax credit offsets expenses for things like home modifications,

Tax Credit Proposed for Caregivers of People with Disabilities Read More »

People with Disabilities Allowed to Pick ABLE Programs from Any State

Legislation, News / DCIL Administrator

Thanks to a tax law passed last month, consumers eligible to open an ABLE account will be free to select a plan sponsored by any state, rather than being restricted to their home state’s plan. The change will make it possible for people across the country to start an ABLE account as soon as the

People with Disabilities Allowed to Pick ABLE Programs from Any State Read More »

Braille Smartwatch Coming in December of 2016

Assistive Technology, News / DCIL Administrator

A South Korean startup company has created Dot, the first braille smartwatch, complete with shifting cells of dots. For some time, people who are blind have needed to have messages read to them, but this innovative technology allows the person to read it for themselves. On its face, it has four cells each with six

Braille Smartwatch Coming in December of 2016 Read More »

IRS Eases Rules for New ABLE Accounts

Legislation, News / DCIL Administrator

In October, the IRS had requested feedback on their proposed rules for the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act (ABLE Act). After a lot of pushback from disability advocates and state officials, the IRS will be easing up on the rules for these new accounts. The IRS said they plan to issue final regulations with

IRS Eases Rules for New ABLE Accounts Read More »

Help Stop the Helping Families in Mental Crisis Act

Legislation, News / DCIL Administrator

The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act of 2015 (also known as the Murphy Bill or H.R. 2646) passed through the House Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee. This bill could be dangerous and has been gaining public support. Provisions in this bill strip away many of the civil and human rights of people with

Help Stop the Helping Families in Mental Crisis Act Read More »

Amazon to Provide Captioning on All Videos by 2016

Assistive Technology, News / DCIL Administrator

By 2016, Amazon has agreed to provide captioning on nearly all of its videos for rent or sale as part of a deal with the National Association of the Deaf (NAD). NAD announced that Amazon will caption 100% of movies and television shows that have been watched at least 10 times in a 3 month

Amazon to Provide Captioning on All Videos by 2016 Read More »

Social Security Benefits to Remain the Same

Important Issues, News / DCIL Administrator

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has come out saying there will be no automatic cost-of-living adjustment, or COLA, for 2016. SSA has said the reason there will be no change is because inflation is too low to warrant an automatic benefit hike. Since 1975, federal law has mandated that Social Security benefits adjust upward annually

Social Security Benefits to Remain the Same Read More »

Bill to Increase Access to Special Needs Trusts

Legislation, News / DCIL Administrator

Last week, the U.S. Senate approved legislation that may soon make it easier for people with disabilities to save money. The Special Needs Trust Fairness Act would allow individuals with disabilities to establish a special needs trust for themselves. Current law states that such trusts can only be created by a parent, grandparent, legal guardian,

Bill to Increase Access to Special Needs Trusts Read More »

Cooling Assistance Available to Low Income Individuals with Medical Needs

Important Issues, News / DCIL Administrator

Cooling assistance is available for seniors or people with certain medical conditions who qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The heat of summer can really create problems for people with health issues. The cooling assistance program makes funds available to low income households to prevent heat-related illnesses. The program funds can

Cooling Assistance Available to Low Income Individuals with Medical Needs Read More »

Obama to Forgive Student Loan Debt for People with Permanent Disabilities

Tax Credit Proposed for Caregivers of People with Disabilities

People with Disabilities Allowed to Pick ABLE Programs from Any State

Braille Smartwatch Coming in December of 2016

IRS Eases Rules for New ABLE Accounts

Help Stop the Helping Families in Mental Crisis Act

Amazon to Provide Captioning on All Videos by 2016

Bill to Increase Access to Special Needs Trusts

Cooling Assistance Available to Low Income Individuals with Medical Needs

BISMARCK OFFICE

DICKINSON OFFICE

FOLLOW US